But there's hope -- and more -- if Algebra I eluded you. Holland High School students who retake and pass Algebra I this summer will get a refund of the $50 class fee and a chance to win a cool prize like a mountain bike or an iPod.

"The incentive is a great idea. Kids respond to incentives," said Karla Spence, who has been teaching math at Holland High for 31 years.

Tough state standards adopted last year require four years of high school math, starting with Algebra I in ninth grade. Yet 30 percent of students in Holland failed the class. Other schools are still tallying percentages, but this algebra-related angst is likely to be an issue statewide.

Holland Principal Bill Trujillo and incoming Superintendent Brian Davis are "thinking out of the box," they say, in their attempts to lure more kids into taking the class again -- and soon.

Using $18,000 in federal grant money for at-risk students, Holland High will have up to four math teachers and a maximum of 90 students for summer school, which will run Monday through Thursday mornings, July 14 to Aug. 21.

High school assistant principals have mailed letters to students who failed or nearly failed the class and followed up with a phone call home. They're even offering transportation to school and mid-morning snacks.

The cost of the class is $50, but no one will be denied entrance because they can't afford the fee. Trujillo said. Historically, the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District has offered summer courses for Holland-area students. The cost of an OAISD summer class this year is $150.

"We charge kids $50, not because we want the $50 but because it holds them accountable. They can't just blow it off," Trujillo said. "At the end of the summer term, if a kid passes the final the first time, they get $50 back. We'll give them $50 even if they didn't pay. To me, that's an incentive."

He called Algebra I a "threshold course" that determines student success.

"If kids pass Algebra I going through the first year of high school, chances are they are going to graduate. If they don't pass, and we don't do anything about it, chances are they won't graduate," Trujillo said.

School districts also have another reason to push: If students can't finish high school in four years, they are considered dropouts.

"The ultimate goal is to help these youths stay on track for graduation," Davis said. "Math is something that trips students up."

Spence, who taught Algebra I last year, has spent the past 10 days "streamlining" the course for summer school. "With the weaker students who probably dislike math, there isn't a lot of time for frills. It's got to be right down to the basics," she said.

All more reason to offer an incentive or two.

Students with good attendance and good scores on quizzes will be entered into raffles for prizes such as a mountain bike, iPod or iPhone, which school officials hope will be donated by local merchants.

"We're trying to make it a little more engaging because going to school during the summer isn't something everybody wants to do," Davis said.

He called the cash and prize incentives "investments in education."

Not only will students see a cash return for attending summer school, they'll also see -- hopefully, at least -- academic success, Davis said.

"The thing they respond to the most is if you give them an opportunity to be successful, if you show them they really can do it even though they think they can't," said Spence.